Kate Somerville extends skin care line with advanced mineral sun protection

US skin care brand Kate Somerville has launched HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops, a hybrid mineral-based sun protection designed to deliver high-performance UV defense while enhancing skin luminosity in a lightweight formula.

The hybrid formulation harnesses three key actives to support long-term skin health. With 24.5% clinical-grade non-nano zinc oxide, the product delivers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection while remaining gentle enough for sensitive skin. 

The formulation also features ectoin, a naturally derived amino acid. It offers anti-aging and moisturizing benefits, while its skin-soothing qualities help repair the skin barrier. 

“It helps maintain the skin’s hydration, reducing dryness often associated with sun exposure, making it particularly effective in a face sunscreen. The result is a two-in-one sun care and skin care formula,” Katey McTavish, global education director at Kate Somerville Skincare, tells Personal Care Insights. 

The science–backed formula infuses sheer mineral pigments that provide a glow said to be suitable for all skin tones. “These pigments help to offset the potential of any white cast from the zinc oxide, commonly associated with mineral filters, while diffusing imperfections, leaving the skin with an illuminated and hydrated finish,” says McTavish.

HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops combine SPF protection with added skin benefits.Mineral sun care trending

The HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops launch aligns with the growing demand for mineral-only sunscreens. The mineral sun care category has grown substantially, driven by growing consumer awareness around synthetic ingredients, a rise in skin sensitivity, and concern for the damaging environmental impact of chemical-based sunscreens. 

The brand reports that “sensitive skin is becoming the new normal, affecting a reported 71% of adults and has increased by 55% in the last two decades.”  

“Mineral sunscreens are gaining popularity due to their use of natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which provide physical UV protection without being absorbed into the skin. They are also considered gentler on sensitive skin, less likely to irritate, and more eco-friendly than chemical sunscreens,” says McTavish. 

Unlike chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV light and convert it to heat, mineral formulations provide immediate broad-spectrum protection. 

“They are also non-comedogenic, making them a preferred choice for those with acne-prone skin while offering broad-spectrum protection.” 

Hybrid solutions 

Beauty consumers also actively seek “reef-safe” or “ocean-friendly” SPF alternatives for the face and body. Kate Somerville’s mineral sun protection offers a non-toxic, reef-safe formula that provides a conscious alternative without compromising clinical efficacy.

“Zinc oxide is considered reef-safe. Reef-safe sunscreens do not contain certain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been shown to contribute to coral bleaching and disrupt marine life,” McTavish explains.  

The company says the product is vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free, reflecting the sector’s shift toward clean skin care solutions. Consumers increasingly demand hybrid solutions that deliver long-term results while aligning with their clean beauty and sustainability values. 

“The shift toward multifunctional beauty solutions in the sun care category reflects consumers’ desire for convenience, cost-effectiveness, and streamlined skin care routines. Products that combine sun protection with additional benefits like hydration, anti-aging, or antioxidant properties cater to the growing demand for value and efficiency,” says McTavish. Mineral sunscreens have grown in popularity due to consumer demand for toxic-free, reef-safe formulations.

“As consumers become more knowledgeable about skin health, they seek innovative, all-in-one solutions that address multiple skin concerns at once, because who wants ten skin care steps when you can have three or four that are more effective and faster.” 

Sunscreen advancements 

Sun care innovation has shifted in the past few years, spearheaded by ingredient formulation and technology advancements. Spate’s 2025 skin care trends reveal a surge in popularity for multifunctional skin care, with Korean sunscreen as the top trend for the new year. 

Personal Care Insights recently reported on Shiseido’s launch of sunscreen dispersion technology. The Japanese beauty brand has developed mineral sunscreen technology that allows UV scattering agents to disperse evenly into the film after application rather than before. 

Meanwhile, nail care manufacturer Fiabila has responded to the “skinification” trend as more consumers desire convenient multi-benefit beauty products with SPF protection. This month, the company unveiled a base and top coat that is a vegan hybrid manicure treatment, leveraging marine plant extract and UVA-UVB guard technology to prevent physical and chemical changes in the nail structure.